Seven European mills and two Japanese specialists will showcase Roica stretch fibres in Munich.
Cifra is working with Austrian bodywear specialist Wolford, while new cycling wear is based on Sitip’s stretch fabrics.
© Asahi Kasei9th October 2026
Innovation in Textiles
| Munich, Germany
Asahi Kasei will bring together nine textile manufacturers at Performance Days in Munich next week, illustrating the increasingly varied ways in which stretch is being engineered into performance and lifestyle fabrics.
Seven European manufacturers – Borgini Jersey, Brugnoli, Cifra, Penn Solutions, Reda, Sitip and Tiba Tricot – will be joined by Japanese warp knitting specialists Imai Kigyojo and Kawada Knitting Group at the Roica stand at the October 13-14 event.
Rather than presenting a single collection, the partners will demonstrate applications ranging from highly breathable and three-dimensional sportswear structures to seamless garments, fine Merino wool fabrics and lightweight Japanese tricot.
A recurring material within several of the developments is Roica V550, Asahi Kasei’s stretch fibre designed to partially degrade under specified conditions.
Borgini Jersey has incorporated V550 into knitted fabrics including breathable meshes intended to accelerate drying and manage body climate, as well as three-dimensional structures designed to reduce fabric cling during exercise.
Italian circular knitter Brugnoli, meanwhile, will show Explosive Amni V550, combining Amni Soul Eco polyamide with Roica V550. The fabric forms part of the company’s Explosive Technology platform, which is designed to provide elasticity and body support while retaining freedom of movement.
Cifra provides a different interpretation through its Warp Knit Seamless (WKS) technology. The process enables garments and components incorporating detailed motifs to be produced with reduced material waste, and has been employed in Cifra’s continuing work with Austrian bodywear specialist Wolford.
Penn Solutions is also exploiting warp knitting and tricot technology to introduce three-dimensional effects, breathable openings, engineered surfaces and grip structures. Its V550 developments are aimed at applications including cycling and sportswear, intimate apparel and technical garments.
Perhaps the most interesting departure from conventional synthetic performance fabrics comes from Reda. The Italian wool specialist is combining Roica with 17.5-micron Merino and ZQ wool in lightweight jerseys and woven fabrics for applications ranging from T-shirts and leggings to shirts and tailored garments.
Stretch fabrics featuring Roica at Performance Days.
© Asahi Kasei
Here, the stretch fibre is being used to add elasticity, recovery and freedom of movement while retaining wool’s inherent softness and breathability. Machine-washable constructions are also included in the collection.
Sitip will focus on lightweight warp knits and brushed thermal fabrics for active and sportswear. Its collection includes both V550 and Roica EF, the latter incorporating pre-consumer waste yarn as part of its raw material feedstock.
Tiba Tricot completes the European contingent with circular and three-dimensional warp knitted constructions for sportswear and technical applications.
The Japanese contribution comes from Nanto City in Toyama prefecture, an established centre for tricot and warp knitting. Imai Kigyojo will present lightweight open structures and bonded fabrics designed for breathability and moisture management, while Kawada Knitting Group will show lightweight tricot fabrics for sportswear, swimwear, innerwear and uniforms.
The nine-company presentation forms part of Asahi Kasei’s new Stretch Your Future positioning for Roica, a fibre which was first introduced in 1971.
Roica will be at Performance Days in Hall A4, stand P10.
